13 Life-Changing Experiences You Can Only Have in Morocco

Morocco is the place to go if you want a series of unforgettable experiences. From camel trekking to climbing the highest mount in North Africa, here are 13 life-changing experiences you can only have in Morocco.

Walk through Jemaa el-Fna

Jemaa el-Fna is the most popular square in Morocco, and a great mixture of all things Moroccan. There are snake charmers, monkeys, henna tattooists, food stalls with delicious food, hundreds of people, live music and the entrance to the souk and its countless traditional shops. You really have to experience it for yourself to get the buzzing feel of this exciting place, and it’s totally worth it.

Surf at Essaouira

Essaouira is one of the most popular fishing villages in Morocco, but lately it has also become the Kingdom’s hot surfing spot, with surfers arriving from all over the world. The best time to go is in winter, when the Atlantic has some of the most impressive waves of the country, and when you can meet people from the across the globe to discuss your love of the ocean and traveling.

Visit Aït Benhaddou

This incredible fortified city is located between Marrakesh and the Sahara Desert and is entirely made of earthen clay, making it look like it has risen from the ground. Most locals moved away to more modern nearby villages, but there are still four families living inside the ancient city. Surely a sight you’ll remember forever.

Climb Mount Toubkal

This is a truly unforgettable and life-changing experience, as you will be climbing the highest peak in North Africa and going well above the clouds! Groups of climbers go all year round, but the best time is in spring. You can start from Imlil, a beautiful and small mountain village that will offer you stunning views.

Go on a camel ride in the Sahara Desert

This usually works with a tour company that takes you by car to Merzouga, where the Sahara dunes begin, from where you will start camel trekking. This is truly an experience that will change you, as you’ll find yourself at peace in the middle of the desert, riding a camel while the sun sets and the warm air mixed with sand gently brushes your skin.

See the Fez tanneries

Fez is the imperial city of Morocco, which means there is a whole lot of history in everything you see in this small city. The tanneries are located inside the old medina, and are exactly the same as they were hundreds of years ago: men coloring leather in the traditional way. A unique sight to behold.

Visit a hammam

Visiting Morocco is the perfect opportunity to go to a traditional hammam, which is a steam bath where you can relax and get a traditional skin exfoliation session. Moroccans go to hammams on a regular basis, where they proceed with other types of skin treatment, like covering the body in a clay mask, or moisturizing with Argan oil. A pampering experience you should definitely add to your bucket list.

Explore the blue city of Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is a village in the north of Morocco that is easily one of the most magical places in the Kingdom. In fact, two American music videos were recently shot here. This is not just another dusty village in the mountains of Morocco—it’s a developed village that looks absolutely stunning, with different shades of blue decorating the walls, windows and doors of houses, and an abundance of plants throughout the narrow streets. Discovering and exploring Chefchaouen has been the highlight of many travelers visiting Morocco.

Take the train

Take the train to strategic places to witness landscapes like you have never seen before. Some trains go past the Atlas Mountains, long-lost villages that don’t even have electricity, and even the desert! If you go near the Algerian border by train, you’ll see some of the most impressive views in the country.

Visit Volubilis

Located outside Meknes, Volubilis are a series of Roman ruins dating back to the third century BC, and abandoned in the 11th century AD. It is an unforgettable experience, walking through a monument from so long ago and that has been standing for centuries, including ancient streets, bathhouses, columns and more.

Marvel at Marrakesh from a hot-air balloon

Marrakesh is absolutely beautiful, whether you’re seeing it on foot, by camel, horse or from high up in the air. There are many agencies that do hot-air ballooning over Marrakesh, the most popular being Ciel d’Afrique, which has been going since 1990. For 2050 Moroccan dirham (€180), you can enjoy a private 4X4 ride, that will take you to the hot-air balloon sight. Then you’ll be taken on a one-hour hot-air balloon ride over the outskirts of Marrakesh and the surrounding mountains. After the flight, you’ll get a special passenger certificate and an amazing Berber breakfast cooked by women from the nearby village.

Enjoy Moroccan cuisine

Eating Moroccan food is a life-changing experience for many, who describe the cuisine as an explosion in the mouth, thanks to local spices and traditional cooking methods. Tagines, for example, change the way the food tastes thanks to the way the earthenware clay reacts to the fire. Learn how to cook like the Moroccans and your life will definitely change.

Visit the Valley of Roses

This impressive valley looks like it was plucked from the Moroccan southwest of old, with its palm trees, clay houses and ancient mosques surrounded by mountains, and offers some of the most beautiful views in the country. Of particular note is the amount of Centifolia roses, which are a big part of the Moroccan culture, as they are used in both cooking and cosmetic products.